Quote:
Originally Posted by ducati1974
Please give me your thoughts /experiences with my symptoms. For the short version skip to the bullets below.
Last January I caught a very bad cold from a visitor. After two months of Dr. visits and antibiotics, I continued to have irritants in my throat causing me to clear it continuously and causing coughing. All other "cold" symptoms gone.
I had chest Xrays, and CAT scans and lung Dr. visits along with allergy meds, more antibiotics, inhalers and prednisone. While some things helped a little, it always came back.
Finally, I persuaded my Dr. that my cough was not from my lungs, but due to the irritants in my throat, so he sent me to an Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist.
The ENT diagnosed me with Acid Reflux and put me on Omeprazole (Prilosec). After 3 weeks the symptoms were almost gone, but then gradually came back about 60% and did not improve further.
The ENT told me to double the dose and come back in 4 months. The doubled dose did not help.
When my scrip ran out, after 2 months, my primary refused to refill it and wanted me to come in for a possible upper GI. I was so disgusted that he overruled the ENT that I balked and instead discontinued another medication I've been on for years (Citallopram) to see if that was the cause.
Now, a month later, with no improvement I'm reluctantly ready to go back to the primary to see if he can solve what seems to be an easy problem.
Current Symptoms:
>Continuous clearing of throat due to irritant (gunk) in throat
>Occasional coughing/ choking due to irritant
>Does not have that vomit acid taste
>Almost never a problem at night or early morning/ worst in evening
>Everyday occurrence
>No noticeable specific food causes
Thanks for your help
|
It sounds like a classic case of Gerd to me. The upper GI is a good idea. Almost always weight is a factor in this too in that some weight loss and diet change
might help, but a diagnosis is needed here. Episodes can be brought on by excitement/ and or stress. Continuing to "burn" your esophogus is not good for you over long term.
Another thing to check is whether your coughing started at the same time you began a new blood pressure medication. Some of them, oddly enough, cause dry coughing...frequently. I had that happen to me and when I switched blood pressure medicine it stopped. This happened to a friend too.
Hoping you will resolve this soon and feel just great once again. Hugs.
Mayo and Shands are great teaching hospitals with the answers if you feel you aren't getting them here on campus.
I am not a medical person. I have Reflux.